Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide programme on March 16 to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals and other water bodies to improve irrigation, raise farm output and strengthen water management.
The prime minister will formally launch the initiative by starting canal excavation at Kaharole upazila in Dinajpur district, according to an official release.
The programme will begin in 54 districts in the first phase, while ministers, advisers, the chief whip of the Jatiya Sangsad, state ministers, whips and members of parliament will inaugurate the drive simultaneously in the remaining 53 districts on the same day.
The BNP-led government has undertaken the initiative in line with its election manifesto, aiming to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, water bodies and reservoirs across the country over the next five years.
The project is expected to expand irrigation coverage, boost agricultural production and create employment for rural communities.
It will also increase the availability of surface water and reduce reliance on groundwater, helping mitigate drought, floods and waterlogging in different parts of the country.
